GUWAHATI, May 26: Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota on Monday chaired the State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) meeting under the Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) to review the progress of watershed projects across the state and chart the roadmap for the next phase of implementation.
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| Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota chairs the State Level Steering Committee meeting under WDC-PMKSY 2.0 to review watershed development projects and approve the 2026-27 action plan in Guwahati. (Image: X/CSAssam_) |
During the meeting, the committee reviewed the status of 38 watershed development projects with a total financial outlay of ₹371.36 crore. Officials informed the meeting that ₹273.03 crore, accounting for nearly 74 percent of the allocated funds, has already been utilised. Four projects have been completed so far, while the majority have achieved more than 80 percent financial progress.
The Chief Secretary reviewed the outcomes achieved under the WDC-PMKSY programme, particularly in the areas of natural resource management, irrigation support and rural livelihood enhancement. According to officials, over 14,750 hectares have been treated under soil and moisture conservation measures, while more than 50,257 hectares of degraded and rainfed land have been developed.
The programme has also led to the creation and renovation of over 1,099 water harvesting structures and expanded protective irrigation coverage in several project areas. Officials stated that more than 1.7 lakh farmers have directly benefited from the initiatives implemented under the scheme.
The committee approved the Annual Action Plan for 2026-27 with a proposed outlay exceeding ₹102 crore. The upcoming phase will focus on sustainable natural resource management, livelihood generation, capacity building and promotion of climate-resilient agriculture practices across the state.
The meeting also approved an incentive framework under the Watershed Janbhagidari initiative to recognise high-performing watershed projects and encourage greater community participation and local ownership.
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Preparatory measures for the upcoming WDC-PMKSY 3.0 phase were also discussed, including preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) through the Assam State Application Centre (ASSAC), convergence with line departments and strengthening monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
In addition, the committee reviewed cluster-based agriculture initiatives in multiple districts aimed at crop diversification, irrigation support and enhancement of farmer incomes through convergence with the Agriculture Department and allied sectors.
The Chief Secretary emphasised the need for timely utilisation of funds, stronger monitoring systems, outcome-oriented implementation and improved field-level coordination to maximise the long-term impact and sustainability of watershed assets across Assam.
